Russia-Pakistan military exercise: India says fully trusts Moscow

Russia-Pakistan military exercise: India says fully trusts Moscow

Benaulim (Goa), Oct 15 (IANS) In the wake of the Russian-Pakistan military exercise, India’s Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar on Saturday said New Delhi fully trusts Moscow and expressed the confidence that it will never undermine Indian interests.

“I am talking about the important relationship of India (and) Russia; this is not a question which I should be answering,” Jaishankar said while responding to a query on a Russia-Pakistan joint military exercise in the future.

“We trust Russia fully. When we speak of friendship, the assumption is that Russia will never do anything which is not in our interest. After our discussions, we are satisfied that Russia understands India’s interest, will never do anything which is contrary to India’s interests,” Jaishankar said.

The Foreign Secretary was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the India-Russia bilateral summit in south Goa’s Benaulim village, 60 km from state capital Panaji.

Indian Ambassador to Russia Pankaj Saran on Friday expressed concern over Moscow’s decision to participate in the joint military exercise in Pakistan last month.

“We are confident Russia will reflect on our concerns; that is where we stand right now,” Saran told the media in Benaulim.